by Rae Hilhorst

I Live in a Dolls House

Having sold our mansion and being homeless for the first time in 30 odd years. We are renting in an area that we want to settle in. An old area filled with character homes, a community, Victoria Park. They have a bus stop with a swing attached either side, a free street library and the customary outdoor ping-pong table.

Our eyes set on a character home, you know the ones. The California Bungalow with the solid fancy tiled wrap around porch, lead light windows, and quaint rose gardens. Though I have seen a lot of Agapanthus borders, partial to them myself. That’s maybe a pipe dream and will remain so as the costs of renovating to a high standard are problematic (returns of investment). So I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Now that we are two and no longer four, that is four though if you count the cats. We are in need of a change. Not necessarily a café strip on the doorstep but closeish. We have a few cafes in the area. One only four doors down.They do a stand up job, large portions and value for money. I might take a photo one time, but I’m usually half way through before I remember. There’s also a pub or two we can walk to.

We found a character cottage to rent, one the owners couldn’t sell and that we now pay an exorbitant weekly rent for. I understand having lived in said cottage now for three weeks why they couldn’t sell. The positives I take from this knowledge is that, I now know what I need to look out for.

This house leans a bit to one side and I wonder that it will eventually fall over. I am guessing the footings need some work, but apparently I’m wrong.

THIS MUCH I HAVE LEARNT

My bedside table has a slide out tray that slides out unaided (maybe spirits). The bathroom floor waste is tucked into the very back corner. I studied this floor while sitting on the dunny, contemplating and wondering why. Now I can see where the water runs that’s escaped the shower screen. Ah hah!

Perth had a storm two and half weeks ago. The result, a brownish red river ran down the front of the range hood, flooding the gas stove top. Settling into the drawer’s below and covering the drawer’s contents. Then the red river not quite satisfied, proceeded to form a lake on top of the tiles and wooden floor. We discovered this of a morning, and several mornings afterwards.

GAS PLATES ARE NOW CACTUS

The owners bless them have repainted. Paint that’s been slapped on surfaces in the hope that it sticks. I know I’m fussy. But really! I’ve stopped counting the dried drips that are paused when they ran out of steam.

IKEA MAKEOVER

An Ikea make over blesses all the wet areas. CHEAP and NASTY. All of the handles are sharp and unforgiving. Cabinets lose their gloss and show wear and tear where water has leaked in. The wrong screws have been used, with no washers. Sinks, all the porcelain and the kitchen sink have lost their gloss and their glamour.

OH DEAR

One bathroom cabinet is positioned so low that if you are the height of a six-year-old, it’s perfect for you. The shower-heads are so high, that if you are over 6 foot it’s a bonus. What gives! Also the shower-heads are inflexible.

We have a half-size washing line, that’s a bucket of fun. My friend took one look and cracked up.

CONNECTING TO IiNET. LETS JUST NOT GO THERE

To date we have had one shower-head fall off, one door handle come away in my hand. One outer door handle is stuffed. I have cleaned the house inside and out so I could look through the windows without squinting through the dust. Loose glass louvers are in danger of smashing onto concrete.

Effie has made herself at home and caught a rat and several baby lizards.

I KNOW YOUR JEALOUS AREN’T YOU

I have unpacked the essentials, as we don’t want to get too comfortable.

We are now thinking that building might be the way to go. Wonder if I can build a California bungalow replica.

Here’s hoping.

Rae x

PS: the justify button has disappeared on my wordpress! Any clues peeps?

Comments

It can only get better. We took the rental as we have two cats and they were happy for us to have them. We have met the owners, nice people, around our age. They have moved to the East Coast, though I don’t know how long for. I wouldn’t mind if the right house fell into my lap. The searching and visiting home opens wears thin after a while x

The joys of living in rental houses! We have done this several times over the years whilst we have been building new homes. We did this on four occasions. Most of our rentals weren’t too bad but the last one was on a very steep hilly block and it was scary reversing down the steep driveway. When we moved out the Real Estate bitch took some of the bond off us because we left a plastic jug in one of the cupboards and a couple of cleaning cloths in the laundry tub. I kid you not! Hopefully you won’t be there too long Rae. xx

It must be hard to rent after so many years of owning your own home, and especially after living in your gorgeous house. I feel for you—I don’t think I could do it, even when we’re only down to two. Then again, who knows. Hope it doesn’t last long. Fingers crossed. xx